Where to Stay in Belgium
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
Find Hotels Across Belgium
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Regions of Belgium
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
The capital offers the country's most diverse accommodation, from budget hostels to five-star luxury, with concentrations around the Grand Place, European Quarter, and upscale Avenue Louise. Business hotels dominate near EU institutions, while boutique properties cluster in the historic center. The city serves as an ideal base for day trips throughout Belgium.
Home to Bruges and the North Sea coast, this region offers Belgium's most picturesque accommodations in medieval buildings along canals and modern seaside resorts. Bruges specializes in romantic canal-side hotels and B&Bs, while coastal towns like Knokke and De Panne provide beach-focused options. Expect premium pricing in Bruges year-round.
Anchored by Ghent and Antwerp, this region balances medieval charm with contemporary urban energy. Ghent offers excellent value compared to Bruges with similar historic character, while Antwerp provides fashion-forward boutique hotels and design-conscious properties. Both cities feature strong B&B cultures and better budget options than Bruges.
The 67-kilometer coastline features a string of beach resorts ranging from upscale Knokke to family-friendly De Panne. Accommodation peaks sharply in summer with many properties closing or reducing services in winter. The coast offers Belgium's most seasonal accommodation market, with apartment rentals dominating alongside traditional seaside hotels.
Belgium's green heart offers countryside escapes in converted farmhouses, country estates, and small-town guesthouses. This is the country's outdoor recreation hub, with accommodation geared toward hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers. Properties range from rustic to luxurious, with many offering half-board packages including regional cuisine.
This central Walloon region centers on Namur and includes Waterloo and Louvain-la-Neuve. Accommodation mixes business-oriented properties with historic guesthouses and abbey stays. The region serves as a practical base for exploring both Wallonia and Brussels, with generally lower prices than Flanders.
Anchored by Liège, Belgium's third-largest city, this region offers urban accommodation with excellent value and easy access to the German border and Ardennes. Spa town accommodations provide wellness-focused stays, while Liège itself features business hotels and emerging boutique options in its revitalizing center.
Western Wallonia's largest province includes Mons, Tournai, and Charleroi with practical, budget-friendly accommodation options. This working region sees less tourism but offers authentic experiences and excellent value, with some charming properties in historic Tournai and around the UNESCO-listed belfries.
Belgium's eastern province offers cycling-focused accommodation, particularly around the Kempen region and Hoge Kempen National Park. Properties cater to outdoor enthusiasts with bike storage and route information. Hasselt and Genk provide urban bases, while rural areas feature countryside B&Bs and holiday parks.
Belgium's most sparsely populated province offers the country's most rural accommodation experience. Properties scatter across small villages and countryside, with many converted farmhouses and country estates. This is the destination for complete disconnection, with limited urban accommodation but abundant rural charm.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across Belgium
International chains including Marriott, Hilton, Accor (Ibis, Novotel, Sofitel), and NH Hotels maintain strong presence in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent, primarily serving business travelers. Budget chains like Ibis Budget and B&B Hotels offer reliable economy options in cities and near highway exits. The Belgian Van der Valk chain operates several properties combining hotels with restaurants. Martin's Hotels represents a quality Belgian chain with properties in Brussels, Bruges, and spa towns, offering consistent mid-range to upscale standards.
Belgium's B&B culture is exceptionally developed, with 'chambres d'hôtes' and 'gastenkamers' offering personalized experiences from simple rooms to luxury suites. Family-run hotels dominate smaller cities and towns, often operating for generations with deep local knowledge. Independent boutique hotels increasingly convert historic buildings—guild houses, convents, townhouses—into design-conscious properties. Youth hostels under Hostelling International operate in major cities with high standards. Many breweries, particularly Trappist monasteries, offer simple guestrooms, though advance booking is essential.
Abbey guesthouses provide unique spiritual retreats, with properties like Orval and Chimay offering simple rooms in working monasteries. Castle hotels (château-hotels) scatter across Wallonia, converting historic estates into luxury accommodations. Art Nouveau townhouses in Brussels offer architectural experiences, while converted brewery buildings provide industrial-chic stays. Houseboat accommodations appear in canal cities, and treehouse/glamping options proliferate in the Ardennes. Several historic beguinages (béguinages) now house guestrooms within their UNESCO-protected walls. Farm stays (agrotourism) are increasingly popular in rural areas, offering working farm experiences.
Booking Tips for Belgium
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
Bruges accommodation, especially canal-view rooms and weekend stays, books 3-6 months ahead during peak season. Consider staying in Ghent instead for similar medieval atmosphere with better availability and lower prices, as the 30-minute train connection makes day trips easy.
Many Belgian B&Bs and independent hotels offer better rates and room upgrades for direct bookings through their websites rather than booking platforms. Family-run properties particularly appreciate direct contact and often provide local tips and flexible arrangements not available through intermediaries.
Brussels hotels drop prices significantly on weekends when business travelers depart, while Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp increase weekend rates dramatically. Reverse your typical booking strategy: stay in Brussels on weekends and other cities midweek for optimal value.
Belgium's compact size and excellent rail network mean you can base yourself in one city and explore others as day trips. Consider accommodation near major train stations (Brussels-Central, Antwerp-Central, Ghent-Sint-Pieters) to maximize mobility without changing hotels.
Major events like Tomorrowland (Boom, July), Gentse Feesten (Ghent, July), Rock Werchter (July), and Christmas markets (November-December) create accommodation scarcity across entire regions. Book 6+ months ahead or avoid these periods entirely if flexibility allows.
Belgian hotels and B&Bs typically include substantial breakfasts with local breads, cheeses, and charcuterie. When comparing prices, factor in breakfast value as it often represents €10-20 per person and eliminates morning restaurant hunting in tourist areas.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across Belgium
For April-September travel, particularly Bruges weekends and summer months, book 3-4 months minimum, 6 months for specific properties. Christmas market season (late November-December) requires similar advance booking. Major festival weekends need 6-12 months advance planning.
March, October, and early November offer more flexibility with 4-6 weeks advance booking generally sufficient except for popular Bruges weekends. Easter weekend requires early booking regardless of dates. This period offers the best balance of availability, reasonable prices, and pleasant weather.
January-February and mid-November see lowest demand and prices, with last-minute bookings often available at significant discounts. However, some coastal and Ardennes properties close or reduce services. Brussels business hotels maintain relatively stable rates year-round except holiday periods.
Book 8-12 weeks ahead for most Belgian travel to secure good selection at fair prices. Bruges always requires more advance planning, while other cities offer more flexibility. Direct booking with properties 2-3 months out often yields better rates than early platform bookings.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for Belgium